A reflecting pool and fountain have now been returned to the vintage landscaped jewel behind the Ames Free Library.

The three-tiered bronze fountain Ė a statue of a woman with cherubs - is grander than the single-figure version that graced Winthrop Amesí fantasy garden 100 years ago.

But it embodies the spirit of the original that has long since disappeared into history.

And, like many of the elements that came together to breathe new life into the neglected plot of land, it found its place in the garden quite serendipitously.

Library Director Uma Hiremath recalls scouring Stonehill Collegeís warehouse for furniture for Queset Houseís new Learning Commons when it appeared to her from behind a pile of furniture.

"I could just see the top of a figure of a statue sticking up. I said, 'That looks like a fountain,í" Hiremath said.

Gregory Wolfe, Stonehillís business manager, thought the fountain had been stored in the warehouse all year and only pulled out during the Christmas holidays to be filled with candy and food, she said.

The fountain has found a permanent and very public home.

Timothy Hurley, chairman of the Easton Historical Commission and part-time caretaker of the property, said four new pond lilies have been planted in the pool in the exact spots they were almost a century ago.

"The idea is to keep it as original as possible. Itís crazy beautiful at night when the lights are turned on," he said.

Locals and out-of-town visitors had been strolling through the garden in greater numbers, he said.

Children have begun throwing pennies into the water.

This week, Samantha Porter, 19, of Raynham, and Easton sisters Elizabeth Flemming, 9, and Jennifer Flemming, 14, walked over from the library to admire the pool and fountain.

"Itís really nice," Jennifer said.

The library leased the tangled garden from the town in 2006 when it bought the Queset House to create a campus.

The reflecting pool was the finishing touch on the three-year effort to restore the Italianate garden, pergola and stage where Ames used to entertain his Broadway friends Ė and required five gardeners to maintain.

The restoration is also the fulfillment of the dream of dedicated local historians and gardeners.

It materialized when local resident Katherine Holland submitted a design thesis to Harvard Universityís Arnold Arboretum. That thesis became the blueprint for the project.

Hiremath said the entire process was a labor of love and homage to the townís rich history.

A few concessions have been made to 20th century realities.

The plantings are hardier than the original and require less maintenance.

Page 2 of 2 - "Itís a modern interpretation and we donít have five gardeners, " she laughed.